Astrid Deira, the first female Surinam Pilot-in-Command to fly a Boeing 737, guided Surinam Airways (SLM) Flight 421 – her inaugural flight – to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) this morning, a release from the Ministry of Public Works said. Captain Deira told media operatives that through determination and sacrifice her dream was fulfilled.
Captain Deira began working at Surinam Airways 27 years ago as an Administrative staff “doing books.” However, during that period the bilingual pilot was saving money to obtain her pilot licence.
Captain Deira (left at the controls) in this Ministry of Works photo.
